Pet-centered design
The wave of interactive toys for our furry friends.
In 2020, many of us welcomed new family members into our homes as our countries went into lockdowns. The Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association has estimated that the number of pets in the UK alone has increased by 3.2 million since the start of the pandemic. With people returning to their offices, numerous dog and cat owners are looking for alternative forms of entertainment for their beloved pets while they are away. Many tech and pet toy companies have responded to the increased demand for pet toys and introduced various noteworthy, interactive products. Below is a list of 5 smart “pet toys” that have captured our attention.
1. Skymee Owl Robot
Skymee’s Owl Robot has a full HD camera with 4x zoom and night vision that will keep an eye on your dog while you are away. You can track and record your pet using a dedicated mobile app. Our favorite feature is that you can use the app to communicate with your pet via two-way audio or dispense their favorite treats with a click.
2. Wickedbone: the world’s first interactive dog bone
Wickedbone is a bone-shaped interactive device that will entertain your dog while you are away. The bone moves on its own and reacts to your dog’s activity. You can control the device via the Wickedbone mobile app and set up different parameters to adjust it for different surfaces.
3. iFetch
iFetch is an automatic ball launcher. Once your dog catches the ball and drops it on top of the device, iFetch will launch a new ball. Additionally, the device offers three launch distances: 10, 25, and 40 feet, which means that you can select the one that will fit into your living room. There is also the random distance option that you can use to diversify the play time outdoors.
4. Whistle Switch
Whistle Switch is a smart collar that tracks the GPS location, monitors the activity level, and the overall health of your pet. It also collects weekly wellness insights and health summaries that you can share with your vet during a routine check-up. Moreover, you can also receive a report on any change in your pet’s behavioral patterns, such as drinking habits or increased licking and scratching. However, the collar needs to be connected to the AT&T network to accurately track your pet’s location, and would have to subscribe to a Whistle paid plan to get access to the GPS tracking, Whistle app and support.
5. Friends Forever Interactive Cat Laser
This interactive toy is perfect for your cat’s self-play with two rotating laser lights. The device rotates at three different speeds — slow, fast, and random, and it automatically shuts off after 15 minutes of playtime to let your furry friend rest. Most cats love playing with lasers, so this toy will surely guarantee an entertaining and active playtime for your cat.
Inspiration is everywhere
When we hear the term user-centered design, we usually think of products solely for human use. We hope that our list of interactive products for pets will inspire you to discover different forms of innovation and interactivity around you.
Moonbay Labs is a publication for designers, researchers, and technologists.🚀🌕 We are advocates of women in technology and research, diversity, inclusivity, emerging talent, and new business initiatives.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Want to publish your article with us?👩💻 Click here to check out our submission guidelines.
